Red Eye
Common causes of a painless red eye
Source: NHS
In this topic (3)
The most likely causes ofa painless red eyeare minorproblems such as conjunctivitis ora burst blood vessel. These conditionsdon't tend to affect your vision andnormally get better within a week or two.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the conjunctiva the thin layer of tissue covering the eyeball and inner surfaces of the eyelids.
This causes the blood vessels on the eye to swell, makingone or botheyes look bloodshot and feel gritty.
Other symptoms can include itchiness and watering of the eyes, and a sticky coating on the eyelashes.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by an infection, an allergy (for example, to pollen), oran irritant, such as chlorine or dust.
Treatment will depend on what is causing the condition. Sometimes notreatment is needed, because it may get better on its own.
Your doctor mayrecommend:
- regularly cleaning away any crusting or discharge
- not wearing contact lenses until the condition passes
- washing your hands regularly and avoiding sharing pillows or towelsto help prevent the condition spreading to others (if it's infectious)
- antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections or medications, such as antihistamines for allergies
This is called a subconjunctival haemorrhage.
It can look alarming, especially if you're taking medication such as aspirin or warfarin (these reduce the blood's ability to clot, which can exaggerate the redness), but it's not usually serious and should clear up on its own within a few weeks.
Articles for Red Eye
Common causes of a painful red eye
If your red eye is painful or you have other symptoms such asreduced vision, the cause is likely to be one of the below conditions. These conditions can sometimes be serious and could threaten your s
Common causes of a painless red eye
The most likely causes ofa painless red eyeare minorproblems such as conjunctivitis ora burst blood vessel. These conditionsdon't tend to affect your vision andnormally get better within a week or two
Introduction
A red eye can be alarming, but is often just a sign of a minor eye condition, such as conjunctivitis or a burst blood vessel. If it's painful, there may be a more serious problem.